The OHAFC 1st XI continued their recent impressive upturn in form with a deserved 3-0 victory over the Old Radleians on a misty Harrow Hill on Saturday morning. The three points owed much to a fine first half display that saw goals from the returning George Taylor and winger Will Payne earn the Blues a 2-0 lead. Although the second half saw the Radleians spurn several presentable chances to claw their way back into the game, a second goal for Payne twenty minutes from time put the result beyond doubt and help the OHAFC to their biggest ever win over the Radleians, simultaneously extending their unbeaten run in Division One to four games.

The free week following the 3-3 draw away to the Old Malvernians had allowed several players to return to fitness, most notably Tom Mitchell, who was finally fit to resume goalkeeping duties from a shoulder injury that had seen him operate solely outfield so far this season. Finding himself in the polar opposite situation was centre-half Ed Nicholson, who was making his final appearance of the season before an operation to repair his damaged shoulder. He lined up alongside Kyle Barrett, back on the Hill for his first League game of the season following a sole appearance in the Dunn Cup defeat to the Chigwellians. Yunus Sert pushed into midfield with the front three bolstered by George Taylor’s return to health – he lined up ahead of Oli Acar, with Payne and Ciaran Jordan the wide men. In Dan Firoozan’s absence, skipper Ed Beecham named himself on the bench, rather nobly, in order to give minutes to others. Jamie Jordache was the other sub, Murray Barr not feeling right during the warm-up and therefore ruling himself out of the game.

Although a cold, thick mist had enveloped the Hill, conditions on the Phil pitches were actually pretty decent, with the lack of recent rainfall helping firm up the playing surface and allowing a fresh cut. The hosts made a promising start, enjoying plenty of the ball against a Radleians side who are in the frame for consecutive promotions, despite suffering a narrow 2-1 defeat to the Old Salopians the previous week. Sert and Charlie Bick took control of the midfield and the front three of Payne, Taylor and Jordan looked threatening. There was, at times, a slight rush to get the ball forwards too quickly, with several potential breaks stopped short in their tracks by a highly enthusiastic Radleian linesman who flagged at every opportunity.

But with twenty minutes played this ‘safety net’ failed for the visitors as a long ball forwards was flicked on by Payne and George Taylor controlled before firing past the keeper on the half-volley. The flag immediately went up but referee Neil Cooper was in no doubt that both players were onside and the goal was allowed to stand. The visitors nearly levelled immediately following a lapse in concentration from the home side, the careless loss of possession forcing Mitchell into an excellent low save at his near post.

But, having largely continued to dominate, the hosts carved out a second goal shortly before the break to double their advantage and put themselves firmly in control. Oli Acar received the ball inside the centre circle, turned and nutmegged his opposite man before spreading the play out wide to Payne on the left. The winger took a touch with his right foot inside before planting a shot in off the far post with his left. Remarkably, if unsurprisingly, the Radleian substitute once more flagged for offside. Once more the referee ignored it and the goal was again allowed to stand.

Half-time saw Jamie Jordache enter the fray, replacing right back Harry Bick, who on this occasion was sporting a rather interesting hairstyle that had been forced upon him for work purposes. But the Blues’ start to the second half was even worse than Bick’s dark blonde hair, with the Radleians camped inside their opponents’ half and looking dangerous. Chances began to arrive, none better than a one-on-one that forced Mitchell into a superb stop ten minutes into the half. The keeper was now working overtime in order to maintain the hosts’ two-goal advantage.

Further changes arrived on the hour mark, including the introduction of the skipper himself, Ed Nicholson departing the action for the final time this season. Gradually, the Blues began to work their way back into the game, threatening on the break on several occasions. George Taylor missed a superb opportunity to seal the victory when he failed to convert another one-on-one but, fortunately, the miss didn’t prove costly, with Payne latching onto a long ball with twenty minutes remaining and confidently slotting past the keeper for his fifth goal of the season for the 1s and eighth for the club in total.

Yet again, almost immediately the Blues conceded a clear chance to their opponents, yet again Mitchell was forced into a great save to maintain the clean sheet, dropping to his right to keep out a powerful shot. But it was to be the final time the Harrow man was called upon, the hosts managing to ride out the final quarter of an hour without further alarm.

Although the victory and three points fail to lift the Blues in the Division One table, the run of two wins and two draws from the four previous fixtures sees the Blues trail the Radlieans, who sit third, and the Old Marlburians in fourth by just three points. The side have two fixtures remaining before the Christmas break, both away from home, both against sides in the bottom half of the table. If victories can be gained over the Salopians and then the Old Westminsters, the OHAFC 1st XI will go into 2024 in a very healthy position.